Metal News for October 25, 2011

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News Archive

49 news articles posted on this day.

Brazilian death metal band Laconist has released it's first full-length album, "Aural Deathblow." The band is streaming tracks from a couple of the preceding demos on it's MySpace page, and has uploaded a few videos from the new one on YouTube such as the track "Not to Grovel (For a Joyless Deceitful)." More...

Celebrating 10 years of keeping it brutal and sick, Viral Load has released the CD "Decade of Deepwoods Debauchery". It will feature re-recorded versions of songs off of all four CD's, and will feature James King (Unmerciful) on drums and is mastered by James Murphy. Check out songs from the anthology on the band's MySpace page, plus the title video below. More...

Alternative Tentacles Records will be releasing the original 1984 demos of Voivod on November 22nd. Straight off the master tapes, these demos promise to be better audio versions of songs later re-recorded for Voivod's debut album, "War and Pain." There will be six other songs, including a Mercyful Fate cover and two Venom covers. Check out the demo version of "Iron Gang" (1984). More...

Every week Metalunderground.com seeks out fans and bands to share their memorable stories from the mosh pit. This week Jason Mackenroth, formerly of Rollins Band and current Mack member, shares a story of clearing out a Motorhead pit.

It was July 15th, 2000 and we were in the middle of a particularly intense Rollins Band summer tour of Europe. We'd been on a handful of dates with Motorhead on our European travels and this night Rollins Band was going on before Motorhead at the Monster Mastership Festival in Dortmund, Germany.

We'd hung a bit with Mikkey and Phil before the show and Mikkey watched our set and I remember having a pretty great show. So with my work behind me for the evening, I was ready for Motorhead. The Motorhead pit is always in top form it seems. I couldn't help getting involved. So I step in and start doing my thing, and end up running into our road manager, Mike Curtis. Apparently, I'd hit him in the face! He quickly got my attention and I immediately grabbed both his hands in a criss-cross handshake. The two us did the infamous whirly-bird throughout the pit and cleared it completely in seconds, flinging people with the greatest of ease. With the kind of momentum this move generates, it usually knocks people right out of the ring. But it seemed like most folks just got out of the way before they were hit and left pulseless.

Mack — featuring former Rollins Band drummer Jason Mackenroth, bassist Michael “MK” Kelly (Magnified), and guitarist Billy O’Malley (Seka, Stripmind, Jocobono) — just released "Pay To Play," the follow-up to Mack’s self-titled debut album. Blas Elias (Slaughter) is the band’s live drummer, enabling Mackenroth to step out front on lead vocals. A Mack 2012 U.S. tour will also be announced soon.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal called the "Pay To Play" album “a modern-day update of the harder edges of Kiss' '70s catalog: songs of sex, sin and redemption powered by shout-along hooks, octopus-armed drumming and lots of fist-in-the-air guitar soloing. It's a visceral, overheated, organic-sounding recording.” You can check out Mack's music by heading over to the band's Reverbnation page here.

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for more pit stories, or share your favorite mosh pit experience in the comments below.

As was previously announced, Nine Inch Nails has provided a cover of U2's "Zoo Station" for Q Magazine's tribute to the "Achtung Baby" album. The song is now available for streaming online, and can be heard in the player below or through Consequences of Sound website at this location.

Vangough has released the new album "Kingdom of Ruin" today, and the band is also now streaming the entire album online. Head over to this location to check out the release. You can also find the previously posted music video for the "Drained" track by navigating here.

San Francisco's Hammers of Misfortune will be hitting the road this December for a string of dates in the North West with support coming from Relapse Records' Christian Mistress. Hammers of Misfortune will be playing with the band's newly-rejuvenated lineup in support of the new album "17th Street."

The entire "17th Street" album is also currently available for streaming at this location.

The upcoming Hammers of Misfortune tour dates with Christian Mistress are as follows:

German melodic death metal outfit Parasite Inc. is presenting its new line-up, as longtime member Benne left the band in May to be able to fully concentrate on his studies. He has been replaced by Kevin "Juan" Sierra from Hackneyed.

Drummer Benni comments: "We were looking for a replacement for quite a while and are now happy to announce that we have found a new guitarist and Parasite Inc. member. Kevin definitely knows his instruments well and fits the band perfectly. The rehearsals were a lot of fun, he learns really fast and the live shows so far have been great!"

Mediaskare Records artist Mureau has released a music video for the track "California" today on AOL NoiseCreep. The track comes off the Mureau album "Rumors and Reputations," which will be released via Mediaskare next month.

The band features vocalist Taylor Voeltz who is best known for his work for bands like As Blood Runs Black, Suffokate, and Betrayal. The band's drummer is Ian Corabi, the son of John Corabi, a powerhouse vocalist who fronted Motley Crue, Union, and The Scream.

Check out the video for "California" by navigating over to this location. You can also find the previously posted song "Bedroom Eyes" by heading here.

Transport League has posted a new studio video clip online, which can be viewed below. The band also commented:

"Transport League has entered the IF Studios with producer Roberto Laghi & assistant Hasse Asteberg. 14 songs have been nailed down, and it will all be mixed shortly for a spring 2012 release, stay tuned and hope you like the vibes of music and sound that you hear in the background."

Indie Recordings has issued the following announcement about postponing God Seed's "Live at Wacken" release:

"Indie Recordings has to postpone the release of God Seed's 'Live at Wacken' until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and we will hopefully soon come with updates concerning the planned release.

"The CD will include footage of the group's infamous live show from the 2008 edition of the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany where they headlined the main stage in front of 75,000 screaming fans. The show was a reconstruction of the controversial Black Mass show from Krakow in 2004. ?The concert featured sheep heads on stakes, 'crucified' nude models, satanic symbols, and gallons of liters of sheep's blood. The members of God Seed came under fire for violating Polish blasphemy laws as well as Polish animal-rights laws, resulting in a police investigation with allegations of religious offense and cruelty to animals. The band went free of all charges and at Wacken 2008 they recreated this now-legendary show in all its glory. This spectacular show will be made available as a live CD, including the film of the entire show on DVD. The album will only available in a deluxe digipack edition. 'Live At Wacken' features session players Nick Barker (drums), Teloch (guitar) and Ice Dale (guitar) alongside King and Gaahl."

The track listing is as follows:

1. Procreating Satan2. Forces of Satan storms3. Teethgrinding4. Carving a giant5. A sign of an open eye6. Wound upon wound7. GodSeed8. Of ice and movement9. Prosperity and beauty

Commented God Seed member King: "God Seed represents a more spiritual side to us than what we have presented in the past. God Seed represents the will to grow; the will to be the super man, so to speak. It represents the god within man, and the god within nature. I never believed in a Christian force named Satan. I believe in the god within man."

Arizona thrashers Hemoptysis have posted a music video online for the song "M.O.D." You can check out the video clip below. "M.O.D." is taken off the "Misanthropic Slaughter" album and was shot during September in an abandoned warehouse in Vail, AZ.

The Rotted will be releasing the new album "Ad Nauseam" on October 31st via Candlelight Records. The band has now posted a song online from the album titled "Apathy in the UK," which can be heard in the player below. You can also check out a previously posted track-by-track video from The Rotted by heading over to this location.

Cali, Colombia thrashers Sagros are set to release their third full-length album, "Anger Blinds the Mind." The band is streaming a few tracks from it on it's MySpace page, and has uploaded the title track on YouTube. More...

British crossover thrashers SSS have confirmed the final dates for a headlining European tour, which kicks off this Friday, October 28th in Lisbon, Portugal. The band will be hitting the road in support of the new album, "Problems to the Answer," and it will be the first full tour with new members Stu Taylor (guitar) and Dave Archer (drums).

SSS frontman Foxy comments:

"2011 has been a turbulent time for SSS but now we are finally in a position to tour our new record, Problems to the Answer. The new lads, Stu and Dave, are eager to get out on the road and we are all counting down the days. We will hit 11 countries this time around. We can expect the unexpected as we're taking this tour back down to a DIY level, which we think best suits the band's outlook. See you all very soon..."

All That Remains is currently embarked on the Share the Welt Tour with Five Finger Death Punch, and the band has now checked in with a video tour diary through Revolvermag.com. You can check out the tour clip by heading over to this location.

Megadeth debuted the new track "Black Swan" from the forthcoming LP "Th1rt3en," which will be released through Roadrunner Records on October 31st in Europe and November 1st in North America. The song was premiered on Hot Topic, but can be heard below:

Pomona, California thrashers Bonded By Blood have announced the addition of Jessie Sanchez as their new bassist.

Sanchez replaces former bassist Jerry Garcia, who left the band earlier this year. The newly completed line-up is currently writing songs for a new album, which is tentatively due to be recorded in early 2012. The band issued the following statement:

"We are thrilled to announce that our good friend Jessie Sanchez has joined the Bonded By Blood family! It was a long and devious search to find the right dude for the job, but we are proud to have him in the band slapping the bass for us! Album #3 is sounding killer so far and we can't wait to hit the studio some time in January! Cheers to Metal!"

You can check out a photo of the new lineup at this location. Bonded By Blood also has the following tour dates:

Akron, Ohio’s sludge metal bastards Rue are preparing to unleash "Thorns," their first full-length album in over seven years, via Shifty Records. A street date of November 15th is now officially confirmed for the CD release, with a full-on vinyl pressing to follow in early 2012.

Today The Obelisk is offering the first taste of what Rue brings forth on "Thorns" by premiering the track “Brown,” which is streaming right here.

Post black metallers Dodecahedron are the latest addition to Season of Mist's Underground Activist division. The Dutch band recently completed the recording for a self-titled debut album, which will be released next January 20th (January 24th in the U.S.).

Nothnegal's debut album is finally in sight, as the Maldivian band has named the upcoming full-length "Decadence."

"'Decadence' is Nothnegal's first official studio release and the first release featuring the current line-up, with Fufu handling both the guitar and vocal duties, Marco on keyboards and Kevin on drums," guitarist Hilarl comments. He contines, "The writing process of 'Decadence' began in summer 2010 and has been quite a challenge for us as we have taken time to do a lot of experimentation on the sound shifting more towards thrash and progressive metal with industrial elements making it entirely different from the sound we had on our 2009 4 track demo, 'Antidote of Realism.' With a completely new and original sound and attitude we feel like we starting again from scratch as we believe Nothnegal have finally discovered its sound with 'Decadence'."

"Decadence" was mixed by Greg Reely (FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, DEVIN TOWNSEND) and Ahti Kortelainen (SENTENCED, SONATA ARCTICA), and has been scheduled for a January 20th (January 24th in the US) 2012 release.

Season of Mist has issued the following announcement about inking a deal with Twilight of the Gods:

"Season of Mist just inked a deal with all-star band Twilight of the Gods! Initially joining forces as a tribute band to Bathory, singer Alan Averill (Primordial), guitarists Rune Eriksen (Ava Inferi, Aura Noir) and Patrik Lindgren (Thyrfing), bassist Frode Glesnes (Einherjer) and drummer Nick Barker (Lock up) recently started to write their own material, which should end up on a full-length album some time next year."

The band issued the following statement: "We are proud to sign a worldwide deal for Twilight of the Gods with Season of Mist... So first question, why? The idea originally was to piece together an international band to pay tribute to Bathory. Nothing more and nothing less. A challenge and a homage. We toured the Bathory set last year and played some festivals here and there. We never say never again but some form of line was drawn under last years triumphant set at Ragnarok festival which made the whole journey seem worthwhile.

"We were asked to re-record Bathory classics and offered this and that to make DVDs and live albums. Never in a million years was this going to happen... Yet the chemistry was so good between the five members we talked about writing our own material. It seemed a shame to file away the energy and synergy on a dusty shelf somewhere when new possibilities were open to all of us. More...

Guitarist Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders has issued the following announcement about offering guitar lessons while the band is on tour:

"Hey Guys! Tosin here. I'll be offering one-on-one private guitar lessons on the 'Saints and Sinners' tour. This time around I'd like to target the 7 and 8 string players specifically. These lessons are on a first come first serve basis and there will only be one student per city. Please email me at TosinShreds@gmail.com to for more info!"

You can check out a list of upcoming Animals as Leaders tour dates by heading over to this location. The band will also be releasing a new album titled "Weightless" in North America on November 8th. A song from the upcoming album, titled "Odessa," is available for streaming here.

Borknagar has checked in with the following announcement about splitting with drummer David Kinkade:

"Borknagar has decided to part ways with the U.S. drummer David Kinkade. This is first and foremost due to the logistical challenges we have been facing having a U.S. drummer in a Norwegian band the last couple of years. Sometimes reality bites and in order to be a fully operative band, we need a drummer based in Norway. The split is of friendly manner and we would like to say thanks for everything David has contributed with in relations to the band and we would also like to wish him the best of luck for his future endeavours.

"Borknagar is currently finishing up the recording of the 9th. album which is planned to be released early next year. As we speak Vintersorg and ICS Vortex are working on the vocal arrangements and we are all exited about the new effort we currently are brewing. The album will be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren in Fascination Street Studio later this years. More details and information will be issued soon!

"Last time we needed a drummer, Dave was very eager to try out. We didn’t like the fact that he didn’t live in Norway due to the logistic side of things, but at this time we had no ambitions to play live more then the occasional festival gig. And Dave joined. He first did the album 'Universal,' then we played at Wacken as mentioned and also did 3 other gigs in Germany and Holland. More...

Although started by Municipal Waste bassist Phil “Landphil” Hall and his brother Josh “Hallhammer” Hall, the idea for Cannabis Corpse predates Municipal Waste. “…we were smoking pot watching Cannibal Corpse on television. Josh and I were teenagers. We came up with the idea when we were seventeen, which was like ’99, but we didn’t get around to actually getting a real band together until 2006,” explains Phil Hall.

Seven years seemed an appropriate amount of time to grow and cultivate this idea. After all, this was the Hall brothers’ ultimate homage to the things they like best in life—weed and death metal. In 2006, Cannabis Corpse arose like a skunk-bud-scented Swamp Thing-like weed monster with the hilariously titled “Blunted at Birth.” They soon followed that up with other Cannibal Corpse parodied albums “Tubes of the Resonated” and “The Weeding” EP. While each album drew inspiration from Cannibal Corpse’s music and Florida death metal in general, Cannabis Corpse definitely made each song their own. The group even adding a touch of thrash, which one would expect from a band featuring a member of Municipal Waste.

Five years in and the group continues to mature. Cannabis Corpse’s most recent offering “Beneath Grow Lights Thou Shall Rise” includes better song writing, more guitar solos and shows the group even step away from the Cannibal Corpse-themed song and album titles, instead spoofing Deicide and Morbid Angel. Before taking the stage in Austin, Texas to support The Black Dahlia Murder (read show review), the group took me to their burgundy-colored van, where I interrogated them on their recent blood-stained musical harvest. More...

Progessive metal act Leprous recently shot an official video clip for the song "Restless," which is off the band's third album and InsideOutMusic debut "Bilateral" (reviewed here). The video clip for "Restless" was directed by David Solbjørg and Kjetil Kolbjørnsrud of Twitchy Films and can now be seen below.

Leprous commented on the clip, "We had a lot of fun, but also went through several gross and painful moments in the making of this video. We're really happy about the result, and we expect you to understand the entire chain of events during the first watching. Enjoy!!!"

Leprous will be supporting Finnish act Amorphis on a European tour starting next week and heading well into January 2012. Dates are as follows: More...

Massacre Records has issued the following announcement about signing a deal with Prey For Nothing:

"Prey for Nothing was forged in the fiery cities of northern Israel. After playing with Iron Maiden's original singer, Paul Di'Anno, Yaniv Aboudy (guitars), Amir Salomon (bass) and Iftah Levi (drums) decided to dissolve their prog-metal band Damnnation in order to form a band more extreme and write songs more suitable to their musical taste.

"Prey For Nothing was joined by Yotam 'Defiler' Avni (vocals) with his acid throat and iron lungs, and the band released their debut album 'Violence Divine' in 2008.

"Inspired by classic metal acts like Death, At The Gates and Testament, the band was joined by second guitarist Tal Behar (Orphaned Land live guitarist) and toured Israel, growing a massive following in the local scene. Combining progressive metal elements to sheer death metal brutality, Prey For Nothing can attract the fans of Opeth, Behemoth and all in between!"

Prey For Nothing's second album "Against All Good And Evil" will be released on December 9th, 2011.

Riku of Finnish act Devenial Verdict has issued the following announcement about recruiting a second guitar player:

"We're happy to announce that our friend and old bassist Henri Hirvonen has joined Devenial Verdict as our second guitarist.

"I have to say that our old songs sound even more massive and brutal now that we have two guitarists and we've been able to breathe some new fire into our older songs. Also, we're rehearsing new songs that have been made specifically for two guitars and they kick ass!"

You can find more details on Devenial Verdict by checking out the band's Facebook profile at this location.

Quebec black metal band Neige et Noirceur is returning with a new album, "Hymnes de la Montagne Noire," which the band states will be less ambient and more dark in sound. The track listing will be as follows:

Belgian power metal band Iron Mask is streaming the new song "Broken Hero." The song will appear on the band's fourth LP "Black As Death," which is scheduled for release on December 16, 2011 through AFM Records. The track features Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) on vocals.

'In its annual exhibit, Last Rites sets out to present a broad-spectrum representation of Dark Surrealism. Held during Halloween weekend, the show is the gallery’s largest group exhibit, and features renowned artists from around the globe - working in an array of mediums including painting, photography, and sculpture. From gothic elegance to finely crafted grotesquery, the beauty within the darkness is embraced and brought into the spotlight.'

U.K. metal masters Judas Priest posted a video trailer with interview segments about the recently released compilation "The Chosen Few." The compilation was released on October 11, 2011 through Sony Records.

New York traditional metal band Riot is set to release Immortal Soul on October 26, 2011 (Scandinavia), October 28, 2011 (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and October 31, 2011 (rest of Europe) and November 22, 2011 (North American) through Streamhammer/SPV.

The band posted a new in studio video of the recording sessions for the track "Wings Are for Angels." Check out the video here:

U.K. death metal band Vallenfyre posted an official EPK video for the band's debut release "A Fragile King," which is due for release on October 31, 2011 (EU) and November 1, 2011 (North America) through Century Media records.

Also check out Metal Underground's recent interview with Vallenfyre frontman Gregor Mackintosh at this location.

Norwegian extreme metal act Dimmur Borgir announced that the band will perform the entire 1997 release "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" on an upcoming tour. The album was chosen by a poll via the band's Facebook page.

There will be no support band for the "intimate club" tour. Dimmu Borgir will perform "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" as its first set and the second set will consist of a variety of the band's classics.

New York death metal band Cannibal Corpse has started recording the band's twelfth studio album at Sonic Ranch Studios in Texas with producer Erik Rutan. The band plans to release more details on the album soon.

The band also announced that it will support Polish giants Behemoth on the "Full Of Hate" European tour in 2012, the confirmed dates of which are as follows:

North Carolina based trio Black Skies will set out on a 16-date tour next month. The short stint, which includes two stops in Canada, will officially begin on November 14th in Asheville. The band will be touring in support of the self-released "On The Wings Of Time" full-length. You can check out "On The Wings Of Time" in its entirety at the band’s official BandCamp page here.

Massachusetts act Hell Within has issued the following announcement about deciding to call it a day after a final show in Lowell:

"Important Hell Within update! We're sad to announce that Hell Within has called it quits. Hell Within will be playing our last show on 11/11/11 at the Village Smoke House in Lowell MA.

"We'd like to thank everyone that supported us over the years and made this band happen. It's been a long hard road, but the most enjoyable experience of our lives. All across the U.S. this band traveled, met tons of great people and experienced things that we will cherish forever. Hell Within released 3 records, had 2 recording contracts, did countless tours and shared with so many people something that is so precious to us.

"To all the band members that we ever played with, to our record labels Lifeforce and Thorp records, we will never forget you guys. From our 1st manager Cynthia Donovan to our latest manager Damon Moreno we thank you for dedicating so much time to us. Then to all the great companies like Jagermeister, Dean Guitars, B.C. Rich, Mesa Boogie, GHS, D'Addario etc. that endorsed us we thank you so much for the support. We'd like to thank our family and friends for always being there for us through the good and tough times. I could go on and on, because the list never ends, just too many people and memories to count.

"Please come out to the 11/11/11 Village Smoke House show and for one last time, help us make one more memory that everyone will never forget."